VIDEO: Rutgers football shifts its focus to Fresno State On Wednesday, Rutgers football team entered High Point Solution Stadium and shifted gears from summer practice to game preparations. On Aug. 29 the team will travel to California to take on Fresno State in their first game of the season. Head Coach Kyle Flood spoke to the media after the practice and spoke of the teams plans heading into week one. (Video by Michael Monday/The Star-Ledger)

"He’s definitely more mature on and off the field," said left guard Kaleb Johnson, Nova’s roommate since the two arrived at Rutgers in 2011. "It’s just the little things, like taking more responsibility in the huddle, being more of a leader in the meetings, being a hard worker, things like that.

"I really look forward to seeing what he does this year on the field, knowing how much work he has put in to be the best he can be."

"For me, going into my junior year, I feel much more prepared," Nova said. "I know what to expect now."

He also feels the pressure, he admits, but said "I have enough things to worry about as far as running this offense."

As for why this might be the year he will finally reach his potential, Nova said he will let his play answer any of those questions.

"I’ve definitely worked for it," he said. "I’d say ‘just watch.’ I don’t really want to say anything or put any words out there. I just want it to be about actions this year and going out and performing and let that do my talking."

For Rutgers fans, the skepticism surrounding Nova is understandable.

The final three games last season — losses to Pittsburgh, Louisville and Virginia Tech, when the offense combined for 36 points — saw Nova go 48-of-105, with three touchdown passes and four interceptions. He averaged 190 passing yards those games.

That’s in stark contrast to three early road victories over Arkansas, Temple and USF, when Nova was 65-of-104 with 10 touchdowns and one interception while averaging 302 passing yards.

"I think I was always a mature person," Nova said. "I just hadn’t gone through some of the downs of football that I did last year. So I think it’s all learning through experience and having that year under my belt."

Since arriving from Don Bosco Prep, where he was 24-0 as the starter, Nova has been viewed as a "franchise-type" quarterback. But his first year as a starter featured wild fluctuations in play, from the five TD passes at Arkansas to the six interceptions against Kent State.

He has since dropped 10 pounds to help his mobility. And his renewed commitment has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, who voted him a captain this year, the only junior to be so honored.

But it’s all about performing. Nova knows that, too.

"You don’t win games in the offseason. It all depends on what I do (in games). I understand that," Nova said. "That’s why I don’t really praise all of that offseason stuff that I’ve been going through because it doesn’t mean anything if I go out and don’t perform the way I’m supposed to on Thursday."